Interproximal stops for preventing filling overhang into the interproximal space between teeth



Feb. 26, 1957 L. OMPSON 2,782,503 INTERPROXIMAL. 5 0R PREVENTING FILLINGOVERHANG INTO THE INTERPROXIMAL SPACE BETWEEN TEETH Filed Aug. 21, 195:5

L yman E Thompson INVENTOR.

ited States INTERPROXITVIAL STOPS FOR PREVENTING FILLING OVERHANG INTOTHE INTER- PROXIMAL SPACE BETWEEN TEETH Lyman F. Thompson, Fayetteville,Ark. Application August 21, 1953, Serial No. 375,659 4 Claims. (CI.3263) The present invention relates to dentistry, and more particularlyrelates to means for facilitating the molding llOI'l frequently resultsin filling overhang into the interproxirnal space between the teethwhere the overhanging filling forms a shelf which leads to anaccumulation of tartar, frequently causes gum irritation, and is a primesource of food impaction.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a means forcontouring the customary matrix band to the shape of the proximalsurface of the tooth, particularly at the gingival margin of the cavityin the tooth to prevent filling overhang into the interproximal space.

Matrices are conventionally used to separate the space between teethwhen filling the proximal surface of one engagement with the proximalwall of the tooth to be filled, which will readily be formed to thecontour of.

easily inserted and removed, which is extremely inexspaces and which maybe conveniently identified according to their size by differentcolorings.

These, together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the right lower jaw showing theinterproximal stop of the present invention in use with a matrix;

Figure 2 is a side view of the interproximal serted with a matrix bandin between two teeth with the cross-section;

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially alongthe plane of section line 3-3 of Figure 2 disclosing the manner in whichthe interproxirnal stop forces the lower portion of the matrix toconform stop inthe interproximal space jaw bone being shown in arent2,782,503 Patented Feb. 26, 1957 to the proximal wall surface of a toothhaving a cavity opening into such surface; and

Figure 4 is a top view of a stops of the present invention in varyingsizes.

Referring to the drawings, the right lower jaw is illustrated in itsentirety by the numeral 16 and the gingiva or gum is designated by thenumeral 12 from which project upwardly a plurality of teeth including asecond molar 18 and first molar 24).

In the interproximal space between the teeth 18 and 20 is disposed amatrix 22 of suitable variety which may be conveniently of Celluloid andan interproxirnal stop 24 which constitutes the present invention.

As shown most clearly in Figure 3, the first molar 20 has a cavity 26therein which opens into the proximal wall of the tooth and extendsdownwardly quite near the gingival margin'of the tooth. Such a cavity isa common one, and, conventionally, to avoid the formation of a fillingbridge between tooth 20 and tooth 18, a matrix band 22 is used toseparate the teeth from one another and to form a dam for the molding ofthe filling within the cavity 26.

Ordinarily, of course, the matrix 22 would serve to prevent suchbridging between the teeth 18 and 20. However, filling overhang woulddevelop on the gingival pair of the interproximal this method, for thevery practical reasons of sturdiness against deformation during theimpaction of the filling, is not a readily flexible or deformablemember, being generally of a high tension, resilient construction.

Accordingly, the interproximal stop 24 of the present invention iswedged into or" the proximal wall of the tooth 20 so that the fillingwhich is impacted into the cavity 26 will mold itself generally into theshape of the proximal surface of the tooth 20.

The interproximal stop 24 is formed of an elongated wedge 26 of a soft,deformable plastic material which is molded around a strip of dentalfloss 28. The wedgeshaped member 27, as clearly shown in another at anapex toward the cutting edges of the teeth 18 and 20.

As will be noted, the wedge 27 forming the interproximal stop 24 ismolded on the dental floss 28 so that the point of the wedge blends intoa longitudinal extension of the dental floss. With this arrangement, thesimplicity of inserting the stop 24 after the matrix 22 has beeninserted is obvious. The dental floss 28 is simply worked between theteeth to the required side of the matrix 22 and the point of the wedge27 is pulled into the interproximal space. By virtue of its deformableproduce no overhang into the interproximal space between the teeth.

From the foregoing description, the construction and utility of theinterproximal stop in the dental arts will be readily apparent. Bynoting Figure 4, it will be seen that these stops may be made indifferent sizes such as the short wedge illustrated by the numeral 30 ascontrasted to the long wedge 27 described previously. For ease ofidentification, these varying sizes may be made in different colors.

From the foregoing, a further description is believed to be unnecessary.However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur tothose skilled in the art after a perusal of the foregoing specificationtaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, it is not desiredto limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described,but all suitable modifications may be resorted to which fall within thescope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is:

l. A dental aid for preventing the packing of fillings into theinterproximal space between teeth comprising an elongated, deformable,wedge-shaped strip tapering to a point at one end and being triangularin cross-section for insertion between the teeth for pressing a matrixband into conformance with the wall of a tooth at the gingival area ofthe tooth, said strip being mounted on a strip of dental floss.

2. A dental aid for preventing the packing of fillings into theinterproximal space between teeth comprising an' elongated, deformable,wedge-shaped strip for insertion between the teeth for pressing a matrixband into conformance with the wall of a tooth at the gingival area ofthe tooth, said strip being mounted on a strip of dental floss, saidstrip being triangular in cross-section.

3. A dental aid to prevent filling overhang into the interproximal spacebetween teeth comprising a strip of dental floss, a wedge of deformable,soft plastic material formed around a portion of said strip, said wedgetapering to a point at one end and being triangular in crosssection.

4. A dental aid to prevent filling overhang into the interproxirnalspace between teeth comprising a strip of dental floss, a wedge ofdeformable, soft plastic material formed around a portion of said strip,said wedge being triangular in cross-section for insertion into theinterproximal space between teeth for pressing a matrix band intoconformity with the wall of a tooth at the gingival area of the tooth.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS CoreyFeb. 4, 1890

